The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood hazard maps are an essential tool for flood mitigation in the United States. Unfortunately, many of these maps have become outdated, especially in high growth and development areas including Florida.

FEMA’s goal has been to modernize flood hazard maps nationwide. To achieve this goal, FEMA formed partnerships with state, regional and local organizations such as the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD). As part of a Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) Agreement with FEMA, the SRWMD accepted responsibility for the map modernization program for the 15 counties and 34 municipalities located partially or entirely within its boundaries.

FEMA is now approaching its primary Map Modernization goal - conversion of all existing paper Flood Insurance Rate Maps nationwide to Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps on an aerial base. (DFIRMs). With the DFIRM as a foundation, it is now possible to provide more information over the Internet and deliver more planning and assistance to communities. This next phase of mitigation planning and increasing availability of the latest information is the foundation of FEMA's new RisKMAP program, the successor to Map Modernization. The goal is to do more than provide Flood Insurance to those at risk - it is to help everyone better understand and mitigate the potential risks associated with living in or near a Flood Hazard Area.

The SRWMD will provide map modernization updates for Levy County, but is working closely on the project with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which covers part of the county. At this time, the small portions of Baker and Putnam County that fall within the SRWMD have not been included in the map modernization updates.

The SRWMD will also seek to receive local government services support for the map modernization updates through interlocal agreements.

Public Meetings

In order to continue disseminating flood hazard information in an efficient, effective, and easily accessible manner, the SRWMD updated its publicly-available flood hazard web mapping applications. One application now provides both flood hazard maps and flood hazard reports over the internet for property in the Suwannee River Water Management District. . Users of this application are able to easily locate any parcel of interest and print custom maps showing flood hazard areas and other information as well as flood hazard reports.

The new site incorporates fast new web technologies for ease of use, and combines the capabilities of the earlier mapping and reporting sites implemented under Map Modernization: